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Ethan Hooker on fatigue, injury, loss — and why the Boks' winning culture lifts him
A revealing profile of Ethan Hooker — covering his injury recovery, how the Boks' loss culture lands on younger players, and the personal loss of his father — that paints a picture of a player mentally equipped for the Test arena as the World Cup cycle builds.
Springboks hold freshness advantage as All Blacks arrive battle-weary in Baltimore
The Springboks enter Saturday's final Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test in Baltimore with a significant physical edge after a month-long series that has left New Zealand depleted and fatigued. While Rassie Erasmus has managed only minor squad tweaks, the All Blacks have lost key personnel including Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson and Quinn Tupaea to an arduous tour schedule that included four provincial fixtures alongside three brutal Tests. Former All Black Justin Marshall conceded the tourists have been "beaten up" by the demands of facing South Africa's franchises and the world champions.
Tour fatigue hands Boks a hidden edge heading into Baltimore decider
Justin Marshall argues the All Blacks are arriving at the Baltimore decider genuinely worn down by provincial fixtures the Boks never had to play — and that South Africa's pack-first game plan has compounded the physical toll throughout the series.
Baltimore may be a money game, but Gavin Rich still expects the Boks to close it out emphatically
Gavin Rich previews the Baltimore decider, arguing the commercial cynicism surrounding the venue shouldn't obscure what's at stake — an outright RGR title with genuine historical weight. He tips the Boks to win by 15+, pointing to All Black deflation, injury losses, and the Bok pack hitting peak form.
Rennie backs Love despite dropping him for Springbok decider
Dave Rennie insists Ruben Love's axing from the All Blacks squad for the series decider against the Springboks is not form-related.
Tony Brown's 'overstimulation' theory explains the Boks' slow-start pattern
Tony Brown believes Bok coaching staff overload players with information at series openers, leaving them overstimulated — Mallett traces the pattern across multiple series and backs the Boks to peak in Baltimore, while Matfield explains why Erasmus has held back on rotation despite the 2-1 lead.
Mo'unga's return puts Love's All Blacks future on the line
Mo'unga's return from a near three-year absence is the lens through which Planet Rugby dissects Rennie's selection — with Love's long-term hold on the 10 jersey now in genuine doubt, and bigger questions hanging over Ioane, Beauden Barrett, and Sititi's respective Test futures.
Boks have the edge in Baltimore — and they need to use it
Keohane makes the case that Bok continuity and freshness give them a decisive edge over a worn-down All Blacks side in Baltimore — and that letting New Zealand square the series would be an inexcusable missed opportunity.
Dallaglio: Only genuine pioneers will crack Rassie's Springboks
Dallaglio argues the Springboks are now too well-drilled to overpower conventionally — only teams willing to pioneer genuinely new tactical thinking stand a chance of disrupting Erasmus's system.
Swys de Bruin departs Springbok Women after historic World Cup campaign
Swys de Bruin has stepped down as head coach of the Springbok Women after two years in charge, during which the team reached their first World Cup quarter-final and broke into the top 10 of the world rankings. SA Rugby President Mark Alexander thanked De Bruin for elevating the profile of the women's game and introducing an innovative style that captured widespread attention. The former Lions mentor won 14 of 21 matches in charge, including notable victories over higher-ranked opposition.
De Allende hails Barrett brilliance as Springboks eye series triumph in Baltimore
Damian de Allende has praised Jordie Barrett's skill set ahead of Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry finale in Baltimore, where the Springboks can lift the trophy with a win or draw. The centurion centre described facing the All Blacks four weeks running as brutal but a massive privilege, and said he has learned a great deal from Barrett across the three Tests. South Africa hold a 2-1 series lead heading into the M&T Bank Stadium clash.
Taylor to captain All Blacks as Mo'unga starts at 10 for series finale
Codie Taylor captains a changed All Blacks side for the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series finale against the Springboks on Saturday, with Richie Mo'unga at 10.
Taine Randell: The Boks didn't outscore the All Blacks — they outmuscled them
Randell argues the All Blacks were the more creative team across the series but got physically worn down by the Boks over three brutal weeks — and that the Erasmus system's accumulated experience proved the decisive edge.
Randell flags Lomax as Bok scrum liability — and makes the case for Newell at tighthead
Randell identifies Lomax — not Bower — as the All Blacks' scrum weak link against the Boks, and argues Newell's compact build makes him a better stylistic match for this Springbok front row.
Randell's scrum fix: Drop Lomax, start Newell at tighthead to stop the Bok steamroller
Randell argues Lomax's build is the wrong match for the Springboks' elite front row, and calls for Newell to start at tighthead in Baltimore to neutralise a scrum that's already delivered a penalty try in this series.
De Allende eager to seal RGR series in Baltimore as Boks hold 2-1 lead
Damian de Allende is focused on sealing the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series for the Springboks in Baltimore on Saturday, with South Africa holding a 2-1 lead going into the final match at M&T Bank Stadium.
Etzebeth: Four straight Tests against the All Blacks hits harder than a World Cup
Etzebeth argues that facing the All Blacks four times in a row eclipses a World Cup in terms of sheer demand — and with Baltimore's decider on the line, he's leaning on Lions and World Cup experience to close it out.
Betway Women's Club Championship returns to Alberton on 20 September
The second Betway Women's Club Championship opens at Alberton Rugby Club on 20 September, with defending champions Kwaru headlining a 16-team field split into Premier and First divisions across match days on 21, 23 and 25 September.
Rankings top spot on the line as Springboks and All Blacks head to Baltimore
South Africa take a 2-1 series lead and the number one ranking into the fourth Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test in Baltimore, where a win of any kind for New Zealand restores them to the summit while a Springbok victory by more than 15 points would open up a 4.70-point ratings gap.
Betway Women's Club Championship returns to Alberton from 20 September
The second Betway Women's Club Championship kicks off at Alberton Rugby Club on 20 September, with defending champions Kwaru opening against DUT (KZN) in the Premier Division on day one.